The C.R. Bickerstaff/Coach Bill Pace University Scholar-Athlete Award is presented to the top university football scholar-athlete in the Middle Tennessee area based on scholarship, sportsmanship and value to the team.

Bickerstaff was the long-time Executive Secretary of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the NFF and Pace is a former head football coach at Vanderbilt University.

Thrasher is a three-year starter for TSU and led the OVC with 112 tackles and was the captain of a defense that ranked sixth nationally last season.